Business Facilities

Exchange Rates: A unified exchange rate for foreign currencies operates in Sri Lanka which prevails according to basic exchange market conditions.

SPECIAL EXCHANGE COUNTERS OF BANKS

Bank of Ceylon: Head Office/Travel Dept, Tower Bldg, Colombo 1. Tel: 445783. Open from 0900 to 1900 hrs. on weekdays for encashment & issue of Travellers Cheques.

Bureau De Change: Bank of Ceylon, York Street, Colombol. Tel: 422730. Open 0900 to 1800 hrs. on weekdays & 0900 to 1600 hrs. on holidays.

Bureau De Change: Ceylon Carriers (Travel Services) Ltd. 1 BA, York Street, Colombo 1. Tel: 325101. Open Mon-Fri 0900-1700 hrs. Sat 0900-1 300 hrs.

Bank of Ceylon: Prince Street, Sir Baron Jayatilake Mawatha, Colombo1. Tel: 320771. Open from 0900 to 1600 hrs. on weekdays & holidays for issue of Travellers Cheques.

Bank of Ceylon: Pay Office, Bandaranaike International Airport, Katunayake. Tel: 252424. Open 24 hrs. on all days of the year for Issuance & Incashment of Foreign Exchange.

BOC Travel (Pvt) Ltd: 177, GalleRoad, Colombo 3. Tel: 423875,434871, 434873. Fax: 434872. Open from 0830 to 1700 hrs. on weekdays& 0830 to 13.30 hrs. on Saturdays for Airline ticketing.

Commercial Bank: Commercial Office 21, Bristol Street Colombo 1. (International division), Tel: 430420 (10 Lines), Fax: 449889, Telex: 21520COMEX CE.

Hatton National Bank: (International division), No. 16, JanadhipathiMawatha, Colombo 1. Tel: 421466/9,320796, 328769, Telex: 21259, 21669,21870 HATNBK CE, Fax: 446523.

People’s Bank: (Ocu/Mail), 27 M.I.C.H. Building, Bristol Street, Colombo 1. Tel: 326427, 446409, 320381, Fax: 332753. On Mondays open from 0900 hrs. to 1300 hrs. Tuesdays to Fridays from 0900 hrs. to 1330 hrs. Closed weekends and holidays.

Sampath Bank Limited: (International Division), 55, D.R. Wijewardena Mawatha, Colombo 10. Tel: 448291, 434431, 433582, Telex: 22761 SAM-BK CE, Fax: 434217

Seylan Bank: (Savings & Travel Branch), Mudalige Mawatha, Colombo l. Tel: 323303 (3 Lines), Telex: 22898 CEYLAN CE, Fax: 433072.

(Night Service Unit) People’sBank, (Headquarters Branch) Sri Chit-tampalam A. Gardiner Mawatha, Colombo 2Tel: 327841-9. From Mondays to Fridays, open from 1530 hrs. to 1900 hrs., on Saturdays 0900 hrs. to 1330 hrs. Closed on Sundays and Mondays.

CREDIT CARDS: Major credit cards like American Express, Visa, Master card and Diners Club are widely accepted at shops and hotels without surcharge. Some banks offer a cash withdrawal facility against reputed credit cards.

CURRENCY REGULATIONS:While entering Sri Lanka it is necessary to declare currency exceeding 10,000 USD to customs.

ATM’S: These are increasing their presence in the major cities. Honk Kong and Shanghai Bank has several outlets in Colombo and Kandy.

TRAVELLERS CHEQUES: Most banks change travellers cheques such as Thomas Cook, American Express and Visa at a nominal fee which includes a stamp duty and handling fee Banks give a better deal for traveller cheques compared to cash. The Bank of Ceylon can replace stolen or misplaced travellers cheques.

TELEGRAPHIC TRANSFERS: Possible via a major bank or agency with a wide spread international network. The speed and efficiency is equal to global standards.